Students in wild, glittery face paint and bright tutus wandered through Alumni Gym. Live music filled the air as students were duking it out in the inflatable boxing ring, while others were busy tying the knot at the Shotgun Wedding booth.

Outside, crumbs and bits of bread flew through the air as students stabbed and parried at each other with day-old baguettes during the fencing club’s “Baguette Fencing Tournament.” Throw in some cotton candy and tie-dyed t-shirts and you’ve got one swinging street fair, courtesy of Serendipity 2011.

The street fair, held indoors on Saturday due to weather, was only one of the many events that made up Serendipity this year. Although the festival comes every year, it’s a little bit different every time.

“Each Serendipity manifests differently as your old friends leave and new ones are made, so this Serendipity was of course different than then last,” said senior Marcus Edghill.

Thursday

Serendipity 2011 kicked off on Thursday by officially welcoming first years to Serendipity on Milner lawn. The welcome was followed by dinner on the lawn and a Soulgrass Rebellion concert.

Junior and WQFS Production and News Manager Yahya Alazrak told the Guilfordian he enjoyed this year’s activities and thought students’ involvement, especially polling to determine band selections and events, set this Serendipity apart from the last.

“Details down to the t-shirts, bands, and movie were selected for the students by the students,” said Alazrak. “I commend CAB on their polling this year.”

Later on Thursday was a screening of “Space Jam” on the lawn, with special preview of Guilford Home Grown Film Festival.

Friday

Friday was packed with events, but the entire day was marked by the “Turn Off the Lights” campus initiative, in collaboration with the Gaming Club and Guilford’s “Green and Beyond” theme year.

Binford Hall lot became the stage for the Flaming Faeries’ steampunk-themed fire demonstration. As evening fell, fire dancers demonstrated their ability to spin, juggle and shoot fire.

A series of performers mesmerized the students gathered in Bryan Jr. Auditorium. Hypnotist Robert Channing performed for a packed crowd, followed by drag queen talent provided by Warehouse 29, a local nightclub.  

Sophomore Parker Ramey said that bringing in local drag queens was a great addition to Serendipity.

“I thought it was fabulous the amount of support and energy that was put forth by both the students and performers,” said Ramey. “It allowed the event to be the success that it was.”

Next up was the WQFS Concert and Dance Party, featuring Washed Out and G-Side, a Baltimore hip-hop group making their second appearance at Guilford.

Students rocked out to the music late into the night while others enjoyed a midnight breakfast in Founders Lobby.

Saturday

Though cold, rainy weather forced some events to move inside, it did not stop revelers from enjoying the day’s events, which included a street fair and carnival.

Senior Brian Daniel enjoyed the Shotgun Wedding booth sponsored by PRIDE, the Tutu and Ribbon Dancing workshop by Expressions in Dance, and the face painting by the newly formed organization Crafternoon.

“I was worried that the rain would deter people from attending, but there were a lot of students in attendance,” said Daniel. “I think I married a good thirty couples, and I wasn’t the only ‘acting minister.'” 

Other activities included club sponsored booths such as the “Rorschach Inkblot Shirts,” sponsored by the psychology club, and the “Baguette Fencing Tournament” which was organized by the fencing club. The festival also featured a booth for students to donate gently worn items to Urban Ministries Clothing Drive.

The night’s main event, a concert by Super Team, Cloud 9, and Cool Kids, was moved to the Alumni Gym due to rainy weather.

The whole weekend wrapped up with a “Go Green, Go Clean” initiative to encourage students to pitch in during the post-Serendipity clean-up.

Reflections

Much of the effort this year went in to making the student organized event more centered on family and community, a concept that some students doubt can be entirely accomplished. 

“Serendipity is a Guilford College event. It’s organized for the students, by the students,” said Edghill. “We are a college that stresses community, but it is a college. I love family events, but the weirdness comes out on Serendipity.”

Fox said she thought this year’s Serendipity was successful in balancing community building with celebration.

“Seeing staff and their families at some of the events were great to have,” said Fox. “It was a true intergenerational experience.”  

Whether it was the bands, face painting, campus club events or “Go Green” initiatives that caught the interest of Guilford students this weekend, Daniel said that the weekend was one for the history books.

“I think despite the weather, CAB was still able to put on a fantastic weekend,” said Daniel. “I certainly commend Erin Fox and all of the student leaders in CAB who made this weekend possible.”